Male & Female Reproductive Health
Ubiquinol maintains energy production and acts as a potent antioxidant, supporting sperm health, production, motility and female reproductive health.
Ubiquinol is a bioactive, bioavailable form or coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It is the only fat-soluble antioxidant naturally produced in the body and helps reduce free radical damage to our body cells.
Ubiquinol supports cellular energy as a key component in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the mitochondria, present in almost all cells in the human body including the female egg and male sperm. The female egg contains a large number of mitochondria, approximately 100,000, compared to 1000-2500 in a typical cell, highlighting its high energy needs.
As part of the natural ageing process, our body’s production of ubiquinol starts to decline from our 20s. Ubiquinol supplementation may help maintain levels in the body, particularly as we age.
The Science – Ubiquinol and male reproductive health
Ubiquinol is important in maintaining the health, motility and production of sperm6,13
Ubiquinol is one of the most potent antioxidants our body produces and helps reduce oxidative damage by free radicals and ROS (reactive oxygen species).11,12
Ubiquinol plays an important role in mitochondrial ATP energy production. Sperm cell mitochondria have high concentrations of Ubiquinol.
Healthy sperm production and motility have been associated with healthy ubiquinol levels.14
- Andrology Australia. 2017. Male reproductive health statistics. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.andrologyaustralia.org/mens-health-statistics/. [Accessed 16 July 2017].
- Bates, A., Shen, Q., Hiebert, J., Thimmesch, A. and Pierce, J., 2014. Myocardial energetics and ubiquinol in diastolic heart failure. Nursing & Health Sciences, 16(4), pp.428-433.
- Alf, D., Schmidt, M. and Siebrecht, S., 2013. Ubiquinol supplementation enhances peak power production in trained athletes: a double-blind, placebo controlled study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10(1), p.24.
- Sarmiento, A., Diaz-Castro, J., Pulido-Moran, M., Moreno-Fernandez, J., Kajarabille, N., Chirosa, I., Guisado, I., Javier Chirosa, L., Guisado, R. and Ochoa, J., 2016. Short-term ubiquinol supplementation reduces oxidative stress associated with strenuous exercise in healthy adults: A randomized trial. BioFactors, 42(6), pp.612-622.
- Safarinejad, M., Safarinejad, S., Shafiei, N. and Safarinejad, S., 2012. Effects of the Reduced Form of Coenzyme Q 10 (Ubiquinol) on Semen Parameters in Men with Idiopathic Infertility: a Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Randomized Study. Journal of Urology, 188(2), pp.526-531
- Neergheen, V., Chalasani, A., Wainwright, L., Yubero, D., Montero, R., Artuch, R. and Hargreaves, I., 2017. Coenzyme Q10 in the Treatment of Mitochondrial Disease. Journal of Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Screening, 5, p.232640981770777.
- Hernández-Camacho, J., Bernier, M., López-Lluch, G. and Navas, P., 2018. Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Aging and Disease. Frontiers in Physiology, 9.
- Al-Qadhi, H. I., Kadhim, E. J., & Ali, R. H. (2017). Coenzyme Q10 effects on body weight, serum testosterone level and oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Age (year), 26(2.52), 25-2.
- Thakur, A., Littaru, G., Funahashi, I., Painkara, U., Dange, N. and Chauhan, P., 2015. Effect of Ubiquinol on Serum Reproductive Hormones of Amenorrhic Patients. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 31(3), pp.342-348.
- Özcan, P., Fıçıcıoğlu, C., Kizilkale, O. et al.Can Coenzyme Q10 supplementation protect the ovarian reserve against oxidative damage?. J Assist Reprod Genet 33, 1223–1230 (2016)
- Di Lorenzo, A., et al., Clinical Evidence for Q10 Coenzyme Supplementation in Heart Failure: From Energetics to Functional Improvement. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2020. 9(5).
- Zhang, Y., et al., Ubiquinol is superior to ubiquinone to enhance Coenzyme Q10 status in older men. Food & Function, 2018. 9(11): p. 5653-5659.
- Reza Safarinejad M, S.S., Shafiei N and Safarinejad S, Effects of the Reduced Form of Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol) on Semen Parameters in Men with Idiopathic Infertility: a Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Randomized Study. THE JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, 2012. 188(2): p. 526-531.
- Florou P, Anagnostis P, Theocharis P, Chourdakis M, Goulis DG. Does coenzyme Q10supplementation improve fertility outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Oct;37(10):2377-2387.
